The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has officially cancelled the Super Eagles’ scheduled international friendlies against Venezuela and Colombia in the United States, following the team’s qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup play-offs.
Confirming the development on Monday, NFF’s Director of Communications, Ademola Olajire, said the decision became necessary after Nigeria secured a play-off spot.
“Yes, we have cancelled it, and it is automatic,” Olajire told reporters.
“It is bound to happen if we qualify for the play-offs. There is no way we can participate in the play-offs on November 13 and 16 and still play the friendlies.”
The friendlies — arranged by NFF’s FIFA match agent Jairo Pachón of Eurodata Sport — were originally slated for November 14 and 18 in Houston, Texas, and New York, respectively.
Nigeria was to face Venezuela at Shell Stadium before taking on Colombia at Citi Field in Queens.
The matches were part of the team’s preparations for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, but the dates now clash with CAF’s World Cup qualifying play-offs, which will hold from November 13 to 16 in Morocco.
Nigeria sealed their play-off spot with a 4–0 victory over Benin Republic in Uyo, courtesy of a Victor Osimhen hat-trick and a late goal from Frank Onyeka. The win saw the Super Eagles finish as one of Africa’s four best runners-up, earning a place in the decisive play-offs.
Under CAF’s current format, only group winners qualify automatically for the World Cup, while the four best runners-up compete in a mini play-off tournament for a spot in the inter-confederation play-offs.
Nigeria will now face Gabon in the semi-finals on November 13, while Cameroon play DR Congo in the other tie. The winners will meet in the final on November 16, with the eventual champion advancing to represent Africa in the inter-confederation play-offs — the last chance to reach the 2026 World Cup in the U.S., Mexico, and Canada.
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